Crisanto relishes the feeling of being chaired up the beach a winner.WSL / Laurent Masurel

"It's an amazing feeling, especially considering all the hard work that's gone into it," he said. "I'm starting the year with the right foot forward and hope I can keep going. For my first time in Israel I've had an amazing time and it will be an unforgettable trip."

A seasoned competitor and silent observer of the evolution of surfing these past two years, Crisanto impressed the judges by combining radical carves and exciting aerial maneuvers to claim huge scores throughout the day.

"I know the judges like that combination of power surfing and innovation in the airs so that's what I set out to do and it worked really well," he continued.

Starting his QS assault from the bottom of the rankings and without a major sponsor, Crisanto's stoke was palpable when the 24-year-old received a US$10,000 cheque, as well as the event's iconic trophy.

"It's great to add that winners cheque to my traveling budget for the year, it's definitely going to help and I'm excited to go home now to train hard before my next event that could be in Martinique."

Winning the women's division in Netanya was the Basque Country's Garazi Sanchez-Ortun, claiming her second QS event win in just a few months.

Power-surfing is Sanchez' trademark even in the small surf.WSL / Laurent Masurel

"There were some really good surfers so I'm very happy to take it out obviously," she said. "I didn't really know what to expect coming here and I found a beautiful place with very welcoming people and fun waves. I'm not setting numbers to my goals, I'm in it for the fun and to try to do my best, when it works out like here then it's very satisfying."

Finishing fourth on the European QS rankings last season, Sanchez continues to climb the qualifying ladder and will take an early lead in this season's regional standings. Taking confidence from her early win, Sanchez will now move on to bigger stages, heading to Australia for the upcoming leg of events in Newcastle.

Sanchez and Crisanto were elevated to local-star level at the podium ceremony.WSL / Laurent Masurel

"I hope to have a good run in Australia and then come home to compete in Zarautz and Santa Cruz again," she added.